Education Secretary Gillian Keegan is set to tell schools in England that parents have the right to view the sex education material being taught to their children.
The directive comes as the government is preparing to launch a public consultation into the Relationship, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum. RSHE has been compulsory in schools since September 2020.
The guidance states that pupils at secondary schools "should be taught the facts and the law about sex, sexuality, sexual health, and gender identity in an age-appropriate and inclusive way."
Schools can invite external agencies to teach these subjects if safeguarding rules are followed, but external groups should "enhance and not replace" teaching by school staff. Critics argue the directive is "too little too late" and call for a public inquiry into RSHE's teaching in schools.